2023 Best Outdoor Doormat Buying Guide

According to the Institute of Industrial Laundries in the U.K., 80% of the dust, dirt, and grime of buildings are “tracked-in” from the outside.

Not only that, but one square yard of quality grade carpeting can actually accumulate half a kilo of harmful dirt over a week — twice as much in bad weather.

Without an outdoor doormat as your gatekeeper you are inviting in unwelcome guests - from dirt and debris to even worse that can affect air quality inside your house.
So it only makes sense to protect your home and health with an outdoor mat worth its weight.

From materials, size, and even color, let us help you find the perfect welcome mat for your front door.

The most common question people have when buying an outdoor doormat is how big it should be. Standard outside doormat sizes begin at 18 x 30 - this is one of the most commonly purchased front door mat size. It works well for single doors.

A standard front door measures around 36" wide. We recommend a large outdoor doormat around 21 x 33 or 24 x 36/38 for front doors. Large outdoor doormats balance your door well and make a statement.

TIP: grab a piece of chalk and draw the size of each doormat before you buy so you can see the scale and balance of each size against your door.

A great rule of thumb is that your front door mat size be about the same width as your front door or slightly less.

Doormats that trap dirt, mud and sand are at a greater risk of bacteria growth than an outdoor doormat that catches and releases dirt. This is because the doormat that traps dirt gets bogged down over time with all of the "yuck" they've captured at the door. The only way to fix that is to beat the dirt out of them. This regular doormat "thwacking" is not only time-consuming but actually quite hard - it feels like you never get it fuly clean. But, if you go that route be sure to wear a mask so you don't breathe in all that you are beating out of the doormat.

Outdoor doormats that catch dirt and pass it through the mat last much longer and are easier to clean. Just lift them up and sweep the dirt away. All Lobster Rope Doormats are designed to catch and release dirt, which is why they continue to look so good at your door even after many years of use.

The best outdoor doormats are made of tough materials that hold up to vigorous scrubbing. Lobster Rope Doormats use super durable nautical rope in a raised weave design to scrub the mud and dirt off your boots without affecting the condition of the doormat.

Any doormat designed to dry quickly will work well in the rain, initially. Moisture is an inevitable fact for an outdoor doormat. Being able to recover quickly between exposure to rain, snow, ice and more is key to the doormat lasting for years. Choose synthetic materials as natural fibers will break down more quickly the more exposed they are to water.

Your heaviest traffic door, typically the front, should have both an indoor and outdoor doormat.

The job of an outdoor doormat is to scrub off dirt, mud and debris before someone enters the home. The job of an indoor doormat is two-fold: first, to collect shoes for homes that request that shoes not be worn inside. Second, if shoes are allowed indoors the doormat must be absorbent so that moisture will not be tracked inside.

With a patio or side door you can often get away with just one doormat, indoor or outdoor, based on your preference.

Outdoor doormats that have a raised weave or feature heavy-duty bristles are the best for removing dirt and mud. You will want a mat that can handle heavy scraping.

Avoid natural fibers for this job, like coir, as they will break down more quickly with heavy use and moisture exposure.

Lobster Rope Doormats are designed with a raised weave that captures mud and dirt, passing it through the doormat. The polypropylene/polyethylene rope will not break down with exposure to water.